VALATIE — Like the rest of his football teammates, Ichabod Crane senior running back Shawn Gerkman has paid the price — literally and figuratively — to compete for the Riders.

The fledgling varsity program has endured more than its share of physical beatings, plus each player must raise money throughout the year in order for the Riders to even compete because football is not part of the school's athletic budget.

Gerkman loves the physical aspects of football and has been more than willing to raise the money necessary in order to play the game he is so passionate about.

But last fall, Gerkman suffered a concussion and a series of stingers. He eventually required left shoulder surgery in December and it was at that point Gerkman was informed football was no longer an option. In fact, athletics all together were gone.

"I didn't know how to take it. I love sports and love working out. To be told that I wouldn't be able to do any of that, it just blew me away," Gerkman said. "It is really hard to put into words."

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After talking it over with his family, Gerkman sought a second opinion and went to see Dr. John D. MacGillivray, an associate attending orthopedic surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. MacGillivray also serves as an orthopedic consultant to the Super Bowl champion New York Giants. His diagnosis for Gerkman was that he could play football again.

"It was a roller coaster of emotions," Gerkman said. "Having my first doctor say I couldn't play sports anymore, let alone football, was really hard to take. Getting the OK from (Dr. MacGillivray) gave me hope."

Thousands of lifts and wind sprints later, the 6-foot, 187-pound Gerkman returned to the field with a vengeance Aug. 31 vs. Hudson.

He rushed for 196 yards and five touchdowns, plus added three sacks at defensive end, to lead the Riders to an impressive 41-14 victory over the Bluehawks in Class B Reinfurt Division play.

The win is just the third in three varsity seasons for Ichabod Crane and it also marked the inaugural road win and first time the program owns a winning record.

"It is hard to describe. Really, it was a feeling of joy for the program," Ichabod Crane coach Tim Stewart said. "Even though it is only one win, I think this is the win we were looking for — especially from the confidence standpoint — to hopefully help take us to the next level."

"After seeing what I was able to do Friday night, that was the best feeling I've ever had personally," said Gerkman, who found the end zone on runs covering 35, 50, 4, 55 and 30 yards.

"He lived up to everything I had heard about him: that he was a tough, hard-nosed runner and a really hard worker," Hudson coach Bob LaCasse said of Gerkman.

"We always knew he was a big-play back. If we could keep him healthy, we know Shawn can get to the corner, into the open field and has a knack for taking it all the way," Stewart said. "Our expectations were high for him coming in, but what he did against Hudson was even a bit more than we expected."

Gerkman said he is grateful any time he gets the chance to put on the pads and show what he can do. His goals for 2012 revolve around team pursuits, not individual statistics.

"The seniors look at this season as 'now or never.' We just want to do our best and win some games," Gerkman said. "A good season would be a real kick-start to our program. The community is really behind us and some more wins could get the team as part of the (sports) budget."